FAA pushes drone registration based on weight

News: Registration required for people who already own drones weighing more than 250 grams.

A 25-member task force formed by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on drone registration has recommended registering drones weighing more than half a pound.

The task force wants the weight threshold to be set at 250 grams or above, which is about a half-pound and could include some remote-controlled toys.

The basis of the threshold has been drawn upon the potential impact a drone could have if it falls on a person or hits a helicopter or plane.

FAA administrator Michael Peter Huerta said: "The FAA receives reports on a daily basis about instances in which small unmanned aircraft fly too close to manned aircraft, often near airports and sometimes at altitudes of up to 10,000 feet — much higher than they should be.

"This is an unnecessary threat to safety that demands the attention of the entire aviation community."

Drone operators will have to register themselves through an FAA website instead of registering their individual drones.

After receiving a single registration number the operator will have to affix the number to the body of each drone.

The step will to allow drone operators to register all their drones at once, reported Associated Press.

The FAA will be allowed to alter the recommendations after it submitted the rules that are expected to be set before Christmas.

Drones have caused numerous accidents in the US including one where a drone crashed into seats during a tennis match at the US Open in New York and in October a drone crash caused electricity blackout in West Hollywood.